Hey everyone, I just wanted to give you some of my thoughts on this trip. For more detailed reviews of each segment, read Ben’s posts.
Continue reading: Andrew’s Impressions: Minsk, Whitehorse, And Everything In Between
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
@Andrew is a great read. This was my first time reading him. Dry wit always welcome and humour doesn't have to be "accessible"; it's fine if some don't get it.
But one thing has bugged me since I started in this game and since I started reading reviews and blogs. Why do educated, literate, articulate people with sensible interests and cultural curiosity (like Andrew) concern themselves with IFE? Have we truly evolved beyond the book? For me the greatest pleasure in daytime flying is reading a good book, putting it down from time to time, appreciating scenery outside (even if it's just clouds) while I ponder, then resuming reading. Sitcoms and car chases cannot compete with this experience. In my last 20 flights, usually in premium cabins with good IFE, I've used it only for the flight map.
Indeed, why should I close my blind so other people can watch screens? Just in case I'm not the only one, here's what I say when the flight attendant tells me to lower my blind: "Is this a crewmember instruction? If it is, I'll obviously comply, as required." It's a great way to make friends.
"The aircraft was on the older side, but looked well-maintained. Kind of like Harrison Ford."
That's gold Jerry!
Seriously, that is very very funny.
@DenB Most passengers won't be at a window seat, since on a widebody, only 2 seats in each row are at the window. So we can read books or watch the IFE, but not look out the window.
I think it's useful to provide an assessment of the IFE. I know some carriers provide little in the way of English entertainment and that's useful to know if one is on a 14-hour trans-pac flight.
@Jim good points all. Thanks for the perspective. I remain sceptical, though, observing that most centre-seated passengers chose a centre seat. Moreover, I nearly always find that among window passengers, I'm nearly the only one with an open blind during daytime flying (longhaul, premium). So, at your prompting I'll be sympathetic to centre-seated people who'd much prefer a window, which I'd guess is 1 in 20. The rest, if seated at a window, would watch the screen with their blind closed, during daytime flight and would not read a book. I'm kinda back at my original point: nobody reads, everyone stares at screens and hates me for keeping my blind open.
I'm over 55, probably relevant to my depressing theory about this.
@DenB I often pick a center seat due to the configuration. If it's a 2-2-2, then the center seats are the only option where I won't have to step over my seatmate or vice-versa, to use the bathroom. Almost all my business class flying is for work so I travel alone.
Personally, I do read on flights but on my tablet or phone, because I can carry a bunch of books that way with no additional weight, compared to real books. Then I watch the IFE during meals and while trying to fall asleep. However, I have no problem with people wanting to watch the IFE the whole flight. I've done that a few times myself if it was a particularly exhausting day before my flight and I want to veg out -- usually happens on the way back.
@DenB
I totally agree.
I also prefer to read off paper (usually catching up on periodicals, which I leave on board) and find blinds down during the day annoying, particularly on a Westbound flight because it makes jetlag worse.
I choose window for daytime, and centre (if no direct aisle access) for overnight.
The reading lights are usually far too weak for comfortable reading.
So if in the centre I often read off my Kindle, which as Jim mentions, is great for accessing books without weight.
It's the number of people watching the big screen rather than using their own Kindle or 'phone that I find surprising - that way one is in control, whether it is text or video.
People complain about lack of choice of content, when they could easily have lots on their device.
Those airlines which offer "connect you device to the screen" seem to offer the best solution.
It's even worse in Economy where the boxes involved for the IFE often deprive numerous passengers of legroom.
Was Swiss111 the only crash due to an IFE system?
Egyptair 804 is still a candidate.
And how about all the fuel used to carry the extra weight?
I love these impression articles. If someone travels with you Lucky can they do an impressions article on the trip (I'd love to hear your parents, Ford, etc.)
@Andrew, we need more of you! Both posts by you and pics of yourself (may I suggest poolside shots :-p), please. 😉
Seriously, though, great trip report! That Belavia meal is seriously unappetizing. Even if they had just served the box with the tomatoes, bread, and dessert, that's more than you'd get on most intra-Europe flights.
@Den -
The greatest joy of long haul flying is being able to curl up (as much as my 6'4" frame will allow) in my seat with a good book. And a bloody mary.
I, too, love to bliss out by simply staring out of the window.
Perhaps it has something to do with our generation not being enslaved to gadgets.
"The boarding process was pretty disorganized and chaotic."
It´s Air ITALY, what did you expect? 😉
That hot Belavia meal I probably the least appetizing airplane meal I have ever seen. Still, at least you got a hot meal, its more than most European airlines offer on short haul.
What a great read Andrew!
As i write this, i've just checked for flights to Minsk because i need to visit that cat Museum!
Are commentors here really in heat like street dogs?
A writer posts a selfie and you lose what little you have of decency?
You realize there's free porn on the Internet, right?
GO get it, beat off, come back (or don't).
"Just as I would rather have a root canal than watch a football game".
HOW DARE YOU! You are now on my list of least favorite people on this blog, even after debit!
And the award for most effective analogy goes to Andrew for the 2018 writing of 'The aircraft was on the older side, but looked well-maintained. Kind of like Harrison Ford.'
kudos
Great post Andrew, I love your style of writing... And your ability to make me smile and laugh throughout the same post.
Andrew, you've got an awesome sense of humor, trip reports are funnier when you tell them and your perspective is refreshing.
You should def check out Iqaluit. But totally book your lodging well in advance. Since the Arctic Hotel was closed for college students to use, the Frobisher and Discovery are often booked solid. That said, the place is very walkable and is full of friendly people.
who serves tomato in a flight meal ? for moment i thought we were back to soviet union era